After Ferguson Grand Jury Failure, Federal Government Must Act for Justice

Communities United for Police Reform, November 24, 2014.

Today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement in response to the grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who fatally shot unarmed Michael Brown in August:

“We are outraged that the grand jury failed to indict Darren Wilson in the death of Michael Brown. From Ferguson to Brooklyn, communities of color face hyper-aggressive policing and lack of meaningful or timely accountability for officers who use excessive and deadly force. The double standards of justice and accountability that allow law enforcement to act with impunity when brutalizing and killing unarmed people must end.

“We stand with Michael Brown’s family, with Ferguson, and with all communities who are struggling for dignity and justice. Given the failure of local government to secure justice, the Department of Justice must act swiftly to conclude its investigation and convene a federal grand jury. The killings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, John Crawford, Tanisha Anderson, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice, and too many others point to a national crisis. It’s time for meaningful systemic changes that safeguard, protect, and honor the lives and humanity of all Americans,” said Priscilla Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

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About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

This site is a virtual organizing platform for funders, donor networks, and affinity groups to connect with each other and with the movement for racial justice and police accountability across the country. The project is intended to help enable philanthropy’s role in partnering with our communities to create and live in vibrant, healthy, prosperous, democratic communities.